-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Thousands of mourners filled a Tracy , California , high school gym Thursday to remember slain 8-year-old Sandra Renee Cantu .

Sandra Cantu , 8 , had been missing almost two weeks before her body was found .

The little girl made national headlines after she went missing March 27 from a mobile home park in Tracy where she lived with her family .

She was on her way to a friend 's home and her playful skipping down an alley was caught by a surveillance camera . Police later found her body stuffed into a suitcase and submerged in a pond at a nearby dairy farm .

Photos of Sandra , flowers and stuffed animals covered the front of the stage . Family members , friends and state dignitaries memorialized the child during a ceremony that lasted just over an hour .

The printed program called the memorial service `` A Celebration of Life , '' and organizers said they hoped the service would help ease the pain the community has suffered since Sandra 's disappearance .

`` We are left with the haunting image of her skipping on the streets of Tracy . But today she is skipping on the streets of gold , into the arms of a loving God '' , said Brent Ives , mayor of Tracy .

Cindy Sasser , principal at Jacobsen Elementary School told mourners , `` We should all strive to be like Sandra -- always smiling , wanting to help , to look out for others and to be caring . ''

The service included a video that showcased some of the family 's favorite photos .

People from across California attended , filling the gymnasium , cafeteria and the football stadium at West High School .

Melissa Huckaby , 28 , a Sunday school teacher who lived in the same mobile home park as Sandra 's family , has been charged with murder , kidnapping , the performance of a lewd and lascivious act on a child under 14 , and rape by instrument .

If convicted , she would face the death penalty or life in prison without parole , San Joaquin County District Attorney James Willett said this week .

A private memorial service for Sandra was held Wednesday . Her casket , signed by classmates , was taken to a nearby burial site by a horse-drawn carriage .

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NEW : Photo montage shown at service for Sandra at a high school in Tracy

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Girl , 8 , disappeared March 27 ; her body was found in suitcase on April 6

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Police arrested Melissa Huckaby , 28 , and charged her with killing and raping Sandra

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If convicted , Huckaby faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole